Page 225 of Beast and Remedy
His jaw works, and he visibly relaxes.
If I could move, I would fall to my knees and thank Tove endlessly for being someone my father will listen to right now.
Marian grunts, thrashing in Jerrick’s hold. “Let me go!” She struggles as he carries her over his shoulder, fighting to see everyone. “Papa, please! They are taking me prisoner! Please help me!”
My father rustles in his saddle, the possibility of him listening to logic ripped away with his sharp demand. “Release her now, or I will kill you all without hesitation!”
Tove grabs his reins, a flash of winter’s breath seeping from her lips as she summons her chilling power.
“Tove.” Papa gapes, his voice faltering.
Ice and flurries of snowflakes prickle along her skin, hovering at her wrist and waiting patiently to strike.
Her voice lowers into the frigid, fearful Snow Queen I remember hearing about. “You have threatened my friends, my allies, and my husband, Bernie. And that’s a threat against me. Friend or not, you need to stand down because there’s clearly more to these grave circumstances than we know.”
My father looks beside himself, tracking her magic and the group surrounding us. He releases a long breath, sagging. “Turn my daughters over to me, and I will stand down.”
Beau takes another step forward. “No. Vi is injured and Marian is to be brought to the dungeons.”
“Don’t you fucking dare,” my father swears as Marian yelps, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Papa,please!”
Uncertainty flashes between my father and his guards, their horses unsteady as Tove summons a snowflake, sharpening it into jagged edges before us as it hovers above from her palm.
Leo looks to me with regret as everyone’s voices rise, bickering. Beau’s advisors interject, trying to calm their old friend, but my father keeps arguing.
Why must he besostubborn?
My exhaustion weighs me down, but I am the only other person who can reason with him.
I seek Papa out, the world and everyone’s voices muted as a faint floating ember twinkles along the edge of the woods.
A soothing comfort cocoons me at the sight of the esprit. Dawn must be approaching if it feels safe enough to appear. Relief swims in my veins as it flickers and drifts, spinning and transforming.
A larger form takes shape, and the sizzling soul’s features grow more distinguishable. Long red waves, freckled, sun-kissed complexion, and a tall athletic build. A glowing aura surrounds the being, and my heart cracks with recognition as it steps more into the clearing.
Mama.
It was Mama this whole time?
Magic surges through my chest, shooting up into my mind, clouding my senses. My eyes roll into the back of my head. I convulse, and my vision goes dark.
Mama’s luminous spirit and soothing voice whispers in my mind.
“Tell him the truth, my child,”she says.“Everything your twin said was true.”
My soul crumbles from hearing her speak, the familiarity of love seeping from each word and the painful truth in her meaning.
Her glowing presence caresses my cheek.
I have so many questions, so many answers I want.
She murmurs,“I cannot stay in your mind long. Your magic is weak, as is your body. But tell your father and tell Beau thank you for being with you. We will see each other again. Remember, the heart of the forest lies in us and lies in you.”
Warmth prickles my brow, and Mama vanishes with the darkness, light snuffing away her shining essence and replacing it with another.
“Vi?” Beau’s voice cracks as his features dull from depleting magic and his injuries. “Vi, can you hear me? Are you alright?”
